Former Butler County politician Michael Fox could spend up to 48 months in prison after he was sentenced on federal charges Monday.

Fox was wheeled in to the eighth floor courtroom of Federal Judge Sandra Beckwith shortly before 9 a.m.

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Attorneys for the former Butler County commissioner said their request for home incarceration was based on Fox's medical condition.

Fox faced a sentence of four years for failing to publicly disclose that he accepted $460,000 in exchange for the awarding of a contract with the county.

At the outset of Monday's hearing, the defense attorney stated Fox vehemently denies that he participated in any behavior which constitutes bribery. Citing the plea agreement, Beckwith told the defense team, "You can't have it both ways."

"Whether he wants to call it a bribe or not", she said, "the facts are that he took money for a contract."

Fox made an unsworn statement to the court from the defense table.

"I don't recognize the person the government has described in writing and through witnesses and testimony," he said.

Fox said he is standing by the terms of the agreement he made with the government, but that because of his medical problems he is ill-suited for a four-year term in a prison facility.

"The issue of my medical care is not an attempt to weasel out of the sentence, as the government put it," Fox told Beckwith, saying he takes 32 pills of 22 medications every day.

Berry responded, "48 (months) of home incarceration is not acceptable."

Beckwith agreed, sentencing Fox to 48 months in federal prison. Beckwith did not specify immediately when Fox must report to prison.

Former Hamilton Mayor and longtime Butler County Commissioner Charles Furmon testified at the hearing. He has known Fox and his family for most of his career. Furmon worked with Fox's father as a police officer decades ago.

He said Fox expressed shock when Furmon informed him that he had contacted the FBI because of financial problems with a project Fox supported.

"I do not come here today with a sense of joy", Furmon said, "but out of obligation to duty."

In a written statement he read, Furmon stated "I think Mike was given many talents, however he is sadly lacking in moral and ethical strength."